Helping Hands Grants

[From Philanthropy News Digest] The American Psychiatric Foundation's Helping Hands Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 each to medical schools for mental health service projects that are created and managed by medical students, particularly in underserved minority communities. These projects can be conducted in partnership with community agencies or in conjunction with ongoing medical school outreach activities.

The program was established to encourage medical students to participate in community service activities, particularly those focused on underserved populations; raise awareness of mental illness and the importance of early recognition of illness; and build an interest amongst medical students in psychiatry and working in underserved communities.

Medical schools are eligible to apply for the grants, and all projects must be conducted under the supervision of medical faculty. Medical students who participate in the program must be in their second, third, or fourth year of medical school at the time they are engaged in community service. Grants will not fund services beyond basic mental health screenings and referrals, and funded projects should not last more than a year. Projects addressing the needs of underserved populations will receive special consideration. Innovative, new, or replicable ideas are encouraged.

Visit the APF Web site for complete program information.